Sept. 09--Outside expectations for this Bears season are lower than for any in the past decade.
New general manager? Meh.
New head coach? Yawn.
Major changes to the top of the organization haven't erased years of unsuccessful drafts. Last year's 5-11 nosedive was as much a product of talent deficiencies as the dysfunction that swirled around the team.
On the brink of a new season, many of those roster holes remain open, despite the efforts of general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox.
In the big picture, the Bears' return to respectability will require Pace to stack successful draft classes over time. Right now, though, there are games to be played and players to be developed.
For the Bears to engineer a surprising playoff push, here are five factors that must go their way:
Offensive line
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod's ailing back needs to improve, or the Bears offense could be in crisis. During the preseason, he wasn't as sound as usual with his pass protection technique, and he wasn't consistently effective finishing run blocks. If Bushrod isn't healthy enough to be effective, it would cripple the run game and expose quarterback Jay Cutler to too much pressure. Worse yet, there isn't a good option to replace him.
Right tackle presents a separate set of problems. Moving Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long outside, as expected, will challenge his athleticism in forcing him to learn a new position in a hurry. There's no doubt he's physically capable, but communication and cohesiveness on the right side will require time.
Defensive line
The defensive line flashed signs of improvement during the preseason. That ascent must continue, especially given nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff's three-game suspension and injury history.
Coordinator Vic Fangio depends on his linemen to protect linebackers from run blocks or transition quickly to rushing the quarterback. Stopping the run is the top priority, and after the Bears ranked 22nd in the NFL in yards per carry allowed last season, teams will test their growth in that area.
Only Ratliff and end Jarvis Jenkins entered training camp with NFL-level experience in a three-man front, but younger players such as Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton have taken to coaching. Experience should help the line as the season progresses
The quarterback
Cutler's quiet preseason was a good thing. But, really, nothing he did in exhibition games could have improved his standing. He needs to protect the ball, maintain proper mechanics and win games in order to keep this team afloat and extend his tenure another season.
Cutler played 69 exhibition plays without a turnover. That can only be considered a positive for NFL's turnover leader a season ago. His reliance on quick, short passes this summer was partly due to injuries at receiver. He'll have to stretch defenses more during the regular season. Coordinator Adam Gase will do all he can to help Cutler with the running game.
Pass rush
Former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker constantly preached some form of the phrase: "Rush and coverage work together." Tucker is gone, back to the college ranks at Alabama, but the fact remains -- the Bears secondary needs help from the pass rush.
Pace overhauled the defensive backfield, adding three new starters to join cornerback Kyle Fuller their 2014 first-round pick. But the new group made few plays on the ball during exhibition season, highlighting a troubling lack of team speed.
Fangio's defense requires pressure on the quarterback in order to create opportunities for defensive backs who are physical and tight in coverage. That's a critical element for the Bears to force takeaways and keep games close.
Stick together
Knowing the challenges that await this rebuilding team, it's imperative players remain committed to each other and Fox's vision. That was not the case last season, as many ultimately tuned out coach Marc Trestman's lead-from-behind style. Chaos reigned in the absence of accountability, with one example being former offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer's venting to an NFL Network reporter.
Although Fox has never won a Super Bowl, the seven playoff appearances on his resume gave him credibility with his new troops. He earned players' admiration as coach of the Panthers (2002-09) and Broncos (2010-14) for a high-energy, down-to-earth approach. That must resonate at Halas Hall for the team to endure bumps in the road.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
